Radial-cylinder hydraulic clutch



Aug. 2s, 1923.

l 1,466,622 H. S. HELE"SHAW RADIAL CYLINDER HYDRAULIC CLUTCH Filed Jan. '17, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lll s r "l" A` 4 @meenam-@gs f Aug. 2s, 1923. 1,466,622

H. S. HELE-SHAW RADIAL CYLINDER HYDRAULIC CLUTCH Filed Jan. 17, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w 3 "H116, I,

Patented Aug. 28, 1923.

vPATENT OFFICE.

HENRY SELBY`HELE-SHAW, F LONDON, ENGLAND.

RADIAL-CYLINDER HYDRAULIC CLUTCH.

Application led January 17, 1920. Serial No. 352,167.

(GRANTED UNDER THE PBOVISIQN S 0F THE ACT 0F IARCH 3, 1921, 41 STAT. L.,'1313.)

To all whom. it may. concern:

Be it known that I HENRY SELBY HELE- SHAW, subject of the King of Great Britain, and a resident of London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Radial-Cylinder Hydraulic Clutches, (for which I have filed application for patent in Great Britain N o. 1010, dated January 14, 1919, and obtained British Patent No. 142,901), of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved form of radial cylinder hydraulic clutch.

In the specification of my prior application Serial No. 311,311, I explained that hydraulic clutches embodying the principles upon which the invention dealt with in that specification depended could be either of radial or parallel type, and details were given of a parallel t pe of clutch, in which single or double swas plates were employed.

The present invention comprises a hydraulic power transmitting shaft vclutch consisting of a rotary member adapted to be rotated by the :power shaft and provided with, or constructed with, a number of radiall arranged cylinders. These cylinders are tted wlth pistons adapted to be operatively connected with a corresponding number of cranks or eccentrics formed on the driven shaft of the clutch. The fluid is adapted to be admitted to the pistons by means of inlets arranged in the ends of the cylinders and` placed in communication with one another by means of a closed iuid passage provided with a number of valves corresponding to the number of the said cylinders and arranged to. cut off or control such communication when'operated 40 by means provided for the purpose. The cylinders may be arranged in groups those in each group being placed in communication with one another by means of an independent closed fluid passage.

The pistons of the cylinders are preferably connected to the cranks or eccentrics by means whereby the objection arising from the oblique action of connecting rods is avoided. This is efected'by arranging l the cylinders diametrically in co-axial pairs and with open ends towards the axis of the clutch. TheA two pistons of each pair of diametrically arranged cylinders are connected together by means of a yoke or rectangular frame arranged to extend around an associated crank or eccentric formed on -the driven shaft. These frames are placed 1n operative cont-act with the said crank or eccentric by means of oppositely disposed bearing members curved o1`1 their inner sides to engage the said cranks or eccentrlcs and provided with Hat outer surfaces adapted to bear against and slide on the lnner faces of the said yoke frame at right angles to the common axis of the said pair of cylinders.

The control valves may be arranged to `be operated mechanically or h draulically in some cases means being provi ed whereby both systems can be used on the same clutch.

Means are provided for maintaining the closed Huid passage completely full during the operation of the clutch, and the said passage is preferably provided with a safety valve 'to avoid excessive fluid pressure accumulating therein.

In the preferred form of the clutch the cylinders are arranged on the driving element of the clutch. They may, however, be arranged on its driven element.

In the forms of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawin Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a clutch having four medial cylinders arranged in two pairs side by side.

Fig. 2 isa transverse sectional view of the same clutch on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing one of the controlling valves on' the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. i is a longitudinal sectional view of a clutch havin eight cylinders arranged in two sets eac having four-cylinders with their axes at 90 to one another.

Fig. 5 is a view showing the means of connecting the oppositely disposed pistons of the construction shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a lsectional view showing controlling valves adapted to be operated hydraulicall and mechanically.

Flgs. 7 and 8 are details of auxiliary valves.

In the clutch shown in Fig. 1 the cylinders al, a2, a* and 0L4 are formed in one member adapted to be rotatably connected to the power member k which maybe the flywheel clutch'memberof an engine or other' motive power generator. The ends of these cyinders are closed by caps d1, d2, d3 and d4. he pistons b1, b2, .b3 and b4 are provided with suitable fluid tight piston rings or cup leathers m secured by bolts-m1. `The oppositely disposed pistons are connected together by means of a yoke or frame f adapted to slide with'their outer-sides against the guiding members g1 secured to the casing g. Motion from the said frame fv to the cranks or eccentrics c1 or c2 of the driven shaft c is transmittedby means of bearing pieces h1 and h2 curved on their inner sides to fit the said cranks or eccentrics and yadapted on their outer sides to bear against and reciprocate on ,the inner faces f1, f2 of the frame f. The closed passage connecting the inlets to the cylinders a1 and a2 is shown at nl, a similar passage n2 being arranged between the cylinders a and a. These passages are-adapted to be controlled byhydrostatically balanced valves j* and .7'2 provided with s i'iidles j? extendingthrough fluid tight stu g boxes g2 to a yoke j* connected to a boss j slidably mounted on the shaft c along which it is ada ted `to be moved by hand-operated mec anism connected to the non-rotary memrs It 'iNill-be understood that Vby moving the valves jl-and j by means of the hand operatedpmechanism j to a position where the valves will close lthe` passages n and n2 no fluid will be'llowed to pass from the cylinder a1 to the cylinder a2 or from the cylinder a3 to the cyliudera" and the clutch will be icked in such a manner that the driven element will rotate at the same speed as the driving element, and it will also be evident that lby partly closingthe said valves a corresponding reduction in speed will l take place according to the speedat which the fluid passes along the closed passages from one cylinder to the other. t In the construction shown in Fig. 6 the controlling valves 'as well Vas being mechanically operable by means of the yoke rin y" which in this construction is moun upon and supported by the valve rods js and may be moved, together with said valve rods axially of the bearing p* by any desired mechanism, can be operated hydraulically by means ofylluid from asource of fluid under pressure under the control of a hand o rated valve. ,y Saidyoke ring is attach to the stemsgof the said valves as shown and is:l within easy reach and hence can be .o rated by hand order to actuate said vali'ees. The said fluid under pressure is admitted to the clutch through the opening p in the Lduid tight bearing p1 which communicates by means of a running joint with the fluid passages ps leading to the end of the cylinder incassa controlling valves la and j, Thesevalves are returned to t ei means of springs j whenlthe supply of fluid under pressure is cut olf. The said running joint is also used to admit fluid by means of the passages p* Fig. 4,110 the' closed fluid gabssages 'n3 and 'nf' of the radial cylinders. e passages p4 are provided with spring-controlled non-return valves es. These valves .may be provided with means for neutralizing the action thereon of centrifugal force, in a manner similar to that hereinafter described with reference tothe valves e1 and e2.

Each valve j, j is adapted to control two ports (not shown), each of which leads to one of a pair of communicating cylinders. Hence said valves arehydraulically balanced as the hydraulic pressure is always between the two bearing ends of the valves.

In the construction shown in Figs. 4 and 5, two sets of four radial cylinders arranged with their axes 90 apart are shown. Each r` normal position by set of four cylinders are arranged in one i plant, the oppositely disposed pistons being connected by yokes f2 and f3 in a similar manner to the construction described with reference to Fig. 2. In order to allow of the yokes of the two pairs of diametrically arranged pistons working freely at right angles to each other, the yoke of one pair of pistons has a frame consisting of two pieces f and f arranged on each side of the frame f3 of the other ypair of diametrically arranged pistons. he4 yoke frames 11 and f12 are secured to the pistons b5 and b", while the yoke frame f is secured to the other pair of pistons i angles to the first pair. In order .to allow of freedom of motion of the pistons b5 and b with respect to the yoke frame fa of the other pair of pistons at right angles to them, they are grooved as shown at f* and if between the portion of the pistons securedy to the yoke frames f and fm,and in order to allow of the corresponding motion ofthe other pair of pistons arranged at right angles to this pair, they are out away at each side of the portion secured to the yoke Vframe f3 as shown at f and f on the second set of four pistons.`

The drivenelement or shaft .of the clutch lis mounted in suitable bearings in the main casing of lthe clutch, which may be plainl hushed bearings as shownat cs and e* Fig. 1, or a combination of. plain and roller bearin as shown at c and o Fig. 4.

he'said closed fluid passages leading'to the cylinders are provided with a safety valve e and anon-return fluid replenishing valve e preferably-arranged in the cylinder'caps asshown at d Fig. 2. In order to neutralize' thel action of centrifugal force on these valves, each of them is arranged in contact with one end of a lever having a balance weightv at the other end and pivoted arranged at right Leccese so as to freely oscillate in a plane wherein both ends of the lever will be subjected to the action of centrifugal force.

Any suitable means may be employed for supplying fluid to the closed fluid circuit.

While l haveherein shown and described a preferred form of my invention, I would have it understood that changes maybe made in the form, proportions and construction of the several parts, within the sco e of the appended claims.

lllhat l claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A hydraulic power transmitting shaft clutch comprising in combination a driving member, a driven member, a plurality o cylinders rigidly carried by one of said members radially disposed with respect to the axis of rotation thereof, pistons reciprocable within said cylinders,'means provided on the other of said members for reciprocating said pistons within said cylinders upon relative rotation of said clutch members, a passage parallel to the axis of rotation of the clutch members and connecting one of said cylinders with another of said cylinders in a different plane perpendicular to the axisof rotation of the said clutch members, and a'hydraulically balanced valve adapted to be reciprocated longitudinally Within said passage for controlling the flow of liquid in said passage.

2. A hydraulic power transmitting shaftclutch comprising in combination a driving member, a driven member, a Vplurality of cylinders ri dly carried by one of said members ra ially disposed with respect to the axis of rotatlonl thereof, pistons reciprocable within said c linders, means provided on the other ofY said members for reciprocating said pistons within said cylinders uwn relative rotation of said clutch members, a assage parallel to the axis of rotation of the clutch member and connecting one of said cylinders with another of said cylinders in a different plane erpendicular to the axis of notation of` t e said clutch members, and means including a valve adapted to be reciprocated longitudinally within said passage for controlling the flow of liquid in said passage and fluid passages adapted to'aiford communication by means of a fluid tight running joint belill tween said 'valve and a non-rotary member te communicating with a source of fluid under pressure whereby said valve can be operated hydraulically.

3. Ahydraulic power transmittin shaft clutch comprising in combination a driving member, a drive'n member, a plurality of cylinders ri "dly carried by one of said members radilally dis sed with respect to the axis of rotation t ereof, pistons reciprocable within said cylinders, means provid- G3 ed on the other of said members for reciprocating said pistons within said cylinders upon relative rotation of said clutch lmembers, a passage parallel to the axis of rotation of the clutch members and connecting one of said cylinders With another of said cylinders in a different plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the said clutch members, a safety valve provided inconnection with the enclosed space formed by the said two cylinders and closed passage, a lever and'balance weight, said lever contacting with said safety valve whereby the same is rendered, unaffected by the action of centrifugal force and a hydraulically balanced valve adapted to be reciprocated longitudinally within said passage for controlling theflow of liquid in said passage. 4. A hydraulic power transmitting shaft clutch comprising in combination a driving member, a driven member, a plurality of cylinders ri 'dly carried by one of said members radially disposed with respect to the axis of rotation thereof, pistons reciprocable within said cylinders, means provided on the other of said members for reciprocating said pistons within said cylinders upon relative rotation of said clutch members, a passage parallel to the axis of rotation of the clutch members and connecting one of said cylinders with another of sald cylinders in a different plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the said clutch members, and means including a nonreturn valve for maintaining said two cylinders and said closed fluid passage full under all Worki ng conditions, a loaded rocking lever contacting with said non-return valve whereby the same is rendered unaffected by the action of centrifugal force and a valve adapted to bereciprocated lon itudinally within said passage for control ing the flow of liquid in said passage.

5. A hydraulic power transmitting shaft clutch comprising in combination a driving member, a driven member, a plurality of cylinders ri 'dly carried by one of said members an radially disposed with respect to the axis of rotation thereof, pistons reciprocable within said cylinders, means prov vided on the other of said members for reciprocating said pistons within said cylinders upon rotation of the clutch members relative to one another, a closed fluid passage parallel to the axis of rotation of the clutch members and connecting one of said cvlinders with another of said cylinders, the two last mentioned cylinders bein parallel to one another and both dispose on the same side of the said axis of rotation, means including a non-return valve for maintainin the enclosed space formed by said two cy inders and said closed fluid passage full, a safety valve provided in oonnection with the said enclosed space, both said non-return valve and said safety valve als being povided with a. omieci making ieveitight ioint between said valve wd non- Whsreby hey are reneis una'ecte ny the iotsiy msmbs cmmunicaitimg with a source' action of csntriugal o, a Var-iv@ adapted Huid under pxessure whereby said Valve l0 to be moved longitudimaiy within said pascan in@ pemd hydmuiically.

sage for variably obstructing said uid pas Ein Wi-ness Wheieo E @@K my signature. sage and Enid passages adapted to soi communication by means si Tunning @uid HENRY SELBY HELE-SHAW. 

